The AMP Cancer Council Pro Bono Program has seen a 13.3 per cent increase in financial guidance provided to individuals and their families in 2015 compared to 2014, reaching 923 families affected by cancer in total.

The AMP Cancer Council Pro Bono Program, a partnership between AMP licensees, AMP Foundation and Cancer Council to provide free financial advice to families affected by cancer, was established in 2010. Originally supported by AMP Financial Planning and Hillross, the program expanded to include Charter practices in 2012.

Since the program's inception, assistance has been provided to nearly 4,000 people and their families.

Hillross and AMP Financial Planning Managing Director Michael Guggenheimer said: 'Through the Pro Bono Program financial advisers are doing what they can to help at a difficult time and add value to the significant work already being done by Cancer Council to assist people affected by cancer.'

Charter and ipac Managing Director Tim Mitchell-Adams said: 'Our advisers recognise what a challenging time it can be for these individuals and we're seeing increasing numbers volunteer their time and expertise to help clients and their families negotiate the financial impact of a life-changing illness.'

Cancer Council's Legal and Financial Support Services Manager Sarah Penman said: 'The time, skills and expertise offered by AMP advisers to people affected by cancer through the Pro Bono Program is truly life changing.'

The program initially launched in 2010 to offer pro bono financial guidance to families affected by cancer in New South Wales. Since the initial launch, the program has been rolled out in partnership with Cancer Council across the country, with the help of funding from the AMP Foundation.

AMP continues to communicate to its adviser network to encourage more advisers to participate in the program, with 94 new practices joining the program in 2015.

AMP Limited issued this content on 23 March 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 22 March 2016 22:26:23 UTC

Original Document: http://media.amp.com.au/phoenix.zhtml?c=219073&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2150311